Acceptance mark on barrel?

barr44 · 08-08-2008, 01:05 PM

I have a 1940 code 42 Luger that has the E/655 mark stamped on the left side of the barrel, just about opposite of the E/S proof on the right side of the barrel. The receiver has the two acceptance marks E/655 and the E/S on the right side in the normal location.
I'm curious as to why this gun has the acceptance mark on the left side of the barrel, as I haven't seen this on other Lugers. I had read of guns being re-proofed after being repaired, but not sure about the added acceptance mark.
This gun is a marriage between a frame assembly with one serial number and the barrel receiver assembly being of a different serial number. Could this be an indication that the gun has been re-assembled as a mismatch between the frame assembly and the barrel/receiver assembly and then remarked with the additional acceptance mark? Each of the two assemblies has all matching numbers and the gun looks to have been in this configuration for a very long time.
As always, I would appreciate any information forth coming from you folks. I know the mismatch is very questionable, but am wondering why the second acceptance mark.

Thanks, barr

Edward Tinker · 08-08-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barr44
I...Could this be an indication that the gun has been re-assembled as a mismatch between the frame assembly and the barrel/receiver assembly and then remarked with the additional acceptance mark? Each of the two assemblies has all matching numbers and the gun looks to have been in this configuration for a very long time.....

No, this is not the reason. I don't think this marking is a surprise, and is seen in this location for Erfurts, simson's etc., I get out of my knowledge for 3rd Reich guns.

There should be a acceptance marking on the barrel and then a proof marking on the right of the barrel.

ed

tharpo · 08-08-2008, 05:27 PM

I would say that the E/655 on the barrel of a 1940-42 is normal because my all- matching 1940-42's have the same stamp. My 1941 byf is also barrel stamped E/655 which corresponds to the E/655 on the right of the receiver.

Tom

Frank · 08-09-2008, 11:03 AM

Hello barr, Military Mauser Lugers should have a proof mark on the right side of the barrel and an inspection (Waffenamt) mark on the left side of the barrel.

The E/655 is normal for a 1940 Luger!!!

barr44 · 08-09-2008, 09:04 PM

Thanks for the info, guys. I hadn't noticed that my '38 S-42 had this mark, but on further investigation with a magnifier I found it. My 41 code 42 doesn't seem to have this acceptance mark on the left side of the barrel, although it does have the E/S proof. It has the regular E655 acceptance marks on the receiver and is all matching numbers. Maybe someone with a 41 code 42 could fill me in. Perhaps this particular variation didn't get this acceptance mark, for whatever reason.
Again I thank you for your time, barr

Frank · 08-10-2008, 09:35 AM

Hello again barr. I just checked both my 41 code 42 Lugers and they had E/655 inspection marks on the left side. I will admit some mark strikes are light, but both of these are easily seen.

Don't know what else to say!!!

barr44 · 08-11-2008, 07:23 PM

Thanks Frank, that's good information.
I notice there is a spot of pitting where the acceptance mark would most likely be. This particular gun was re-finished, so if it were a weak stamping, then perhaps it was buffed in that area and is all but gone. The E/S on the right side of the barrel is very strong as are the acceptance marks on the receiver and the serial no. on the barrel and barrel measurements are very strong as well. Maybe they didn't always get put on the barrel and maybe if it were there it was cleaned off. Guess I'll never know.
I notice on my S-42, that the acceptance mark is so light that it is very hard to see, of course the gun is not pristine by any stretch of the imagination, but all the other marks are pretty good.
I do appreciate everyone's replies, as always it's darn good information. Thanks again, all. barr

alvin · 08-11-2008, 08:26 PM

barr -- I must have missed something in the pix. I did not see any gun blue in the pitting area. Relatively weak E/655 does not neccessary equal to re-finish either because the weak areas are on the sides..... Just looks normal from that single pix.

barr44 · 08-13-2008, 04:59 PM

Alvin, I guess you might of missed something. My last post was to ask Frank about his 41/42 lugers. I have a 41/42, that was refinished and it has some pitting in the spot where the acceptance mark might be found. Yet I don't see any sign of an acceptance mark on my gun. I was thinking that being refinished it may have been polished off if it were an extremely light stamping.
The photo is a different gun, it's a 1940 42. You'll need to read all of the post to get up to date with my last post, things might be clearer then, sorry for the confusion.
I do appreciate your input though, thanks, barr.

08-08-2008, 01:05 PM	#1
barr44 User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: york co., va Posts: 159 Thanks: 28 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	Acceptance mark on barrel? I have a 1940 code 42 Luger that has the E/655 mark stamped on the left side of the barrel, just about opposite of the E/S proof on the right side of the barrel. The receiver has the two acceptance marks E/655 and the E/S on the right side in the normal location. I'm curious as to why this gun has the acceptance mark on the left side of the barrel, as I haven't seen this on other Lugers. I had read of guns being re-proofed after being repaired, but not sure about the added acceptance mark. This gun is a marriage between a frame assembly with one serial number and the barrel receiver assembly being of a different serial number. Could this be an indication that the gun has been re-assembled as a mismatch between the frame assembly and the barrel/receiver assembly and then remarked with the additional acceptance mark? Each of the two assemblies has all matching numbers and the gun looks to have been in this configuration for a very long time. As always, I would appreciate any information forth coming from you folks. I know the mismatch is very questionable, but am wondering why the second acceptance mark. Thanks, barr

08-08-2008, 05:27 PM	#3
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 544 Thanks: 118 Thanked 383 Times in 158 Posts	I would say that the E/655 on the barrel of a 1940-42 is normal because my all- matching 1940-42's have the same stamp. My 1941 byf is also barrel stamped E/655 which corresponds to the E/655 on the right of the receiver. Tom

08-09-2008, 11:03 AM	#4
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 164 Times in 87 Posts	Hello barr, Military Mauser Lugers should have a proof mark on the right side of the barrel and an inspection (Waffenamt) mark on the left side of the barrel. The E/655 is normal for a 1940 Luger!!!

08-09-2008, 09:04 PM	#5
barr44 User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: york co., va Posts: 159 Thanks: 28 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	Thanks for the info, guys. I hadn't noticed that my '38 S-42 had this mark, but on further investigation with a magnifier I found it. My 41 code 42 doesn't seem to have this acceptance mark on the left side of the barrel, although it does have the E/S proof. It has the regular E655 acceptance marks on the receiver and is all matching numbers. Maybe someone with a 41 code 42 could fill me in. Perhaps this particular variation didn't get this acceptance mark, for whatever reason. Again I thank you for your time, barr

08-10-2008, 09:35 AM	#6
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 164 Times in 87 Posts	Hello again barr. I just checked both my 41 code 42 Lugers and they had E/655 inspection marks on the left side. I will admit some mark strikes are light, but both of these are easily seen. Don't know what else to say!!!

08-11-2008, 07:23 PM	#7
barr44 User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: york co., va Posts: 159 Thanks: 28 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	Thanks Frank, that's good information. I notice there is a spot of pitting where the acceptance mark would most likely be. This particular gun was re-finished, so if it were a weak stamping, then perhaps it was buffed in that area and is all but gone. The E/S on the right side of the barrel is very strong as are the acceptance marks on the receiver and the serial no. on the barrel and barrel measurements are very strong as well. Maybe they didn't always get put on the barrel and maybe if it were there it was cleaned off. Guess I'll never know. I notice on my S-42, that the acceptance mark is so light that it is very hard to see, of course the gun is not pristine by any stretch of the imagination, but all the other marks are pretty good. I do appreciate everyone's replies, as always it's darn good information. Thanks again, all. barr

08-11-2008, 08:26 PM	#8
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	barr -- I must have missed something in the pix. I did not see any gun blue in the pitting area. Relatively weak E/655 does not neccessary equal to re-finish either because the weak areas are on the sides..... Just looks normal from that single pix.

08-13-2008, 04:59 PM	#9
barr44 User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: york co., va Posts: 159 Thanks: 28 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	Alvin, I guess you might of missed something. My last post was to ask Frank about his 41/42 lugers. I have a 41/42, that was refinished and it has some pitting in the spot where the acceptance mark might be found. Yet I don't see any sign of an acceptance mark on my gun. I was thinking that being refinished it may have been polished off if it were an extremely light stamping. The photo is a different gun, it's a 1940 42. You'll need to read all of the post to get up to date with my last post, things might be clearer then, sorry for the confusion. I do appreciate your input though, thanks, barr.